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Canada helps Canadians leave Gaza

Canadian consular officials greet Canadians departing from Gaza at the Erez Crossing near Gaza. More photos

On January 8, 2009, the Government of Canada helped 48 Canadians to safely depart from Gaza to Jordan. Another three Canadians left Gaza on January 19 through the Egyptian border and received assistance from our embassy in Cairo. On January 21, the Government of Canada helped nine Canadians leave Gaza by providing transportation from the Erez crossing, on the Gaza-Israel border, to Amman, Jordan, and by organizing accommodation in Amman. On February 3, another 19 Canadians were helped to leave Gaza by being moved from Rafah Crossing (Gaza-Egypt border) to Cairo.

Our diplomatic missions in the region played a crucial role in coordinating this operation, not just for the Canadians but also for approximately 250 foreign nationals, from 20 other countries, who also wanted to depart the region. Out of 48 people contacted, four families (24 people) chose not to be assisted at this time and a fifth family was able to leave on its own.

Since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza, 57 Canadians have been evacuated via Jordan and another 22 via the Egyptian border with the assistance of our missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman and Cairo. No further assisted departures are planned at this time.

Canada is grateful for the assistance provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross in supporting these departures.

Information on the region

Photos of the Assisted Departure from Gaza

Click to enlarge pictures (high resolution)

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Photo captions

1 - Canadian consular officials greet Canadians departing from Gaza at the Erez Crossing near Gaza. Behind the desk are Julie Bishouti, Consular Officer (back) and Heather Brooker, Consul (front), both from the Embassy of Canada to Israel in Tel Aviv.

2 - Jon Allen, Canada's Ambassador to Israel, (in blue shirt and black sweater) speaks with media on January 8, 2009. 48 Canadians were transported by buses chartered by the Canadian diplomatic missions in the region, and left the Erez Crossing near Gaza for Amman, Jordan.

3 - Fadi Abu Manneh (left) and Samar Husary, employees of the Representative Office of Canada to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, in Jordan after having departed from Gaza. They are waiting for the Canadian evacuees to finish crossing into Jordan.